Don't take this too seriously!
(I don't recommend to actually install it on your new computer! 
)
---
I just installed MS-DOS 6.0 (with extras) and Windows 3.1.
(Yes, on the same HD for those who are wondering.)
Why am I posting this?
Well; just because I can.
(This is no art, just a screenshot, I do not own any of the content. The only 'editing' I've done is converting the BMP file to a PNG file.)
See this as a 'journal' picture. (Just read this text, that's what it's about
)
It was the most easy and fastest Windows installation I ever did (when I finally was able to find out which of my old hard disks was still working and empty.)
Number of floppies;
MS-DOS 6.0
- 3 [standard]
- 1 with the extra files. [Files from MS-DOS 5.0]
Windows 3.1
- 7, I only used floppy disk 1 to 5 for the installation. (only 1 to 4 are needed for a normal installation I believe.)
Question and Answer;
-What can you do with Windows 3.1?
Well, it's pretty much the same as the newer Windows version.
You have a text editor, picture editor, small version of the explorer window, a sort of desktop (the lowest 'screen' on the picture is the main-screen a.k.a. desktop), help files
, games (only two, both icons are visible in the screenshot, I'm sure you know both of them) and the Blue Screen Of Death.
-Blue Screen Of Death?
You know, that blue error screen. When you see it, you mostly have to reboot your computer. In Windows 3.1 I only got it when I pressed on CTRL+ALT+DEL manually when I f*cked the display driver. (I tried a 1024x768 kind of resolution; the resolution of the picture is supposed to be 800x600 pixels which is already pretty huge for Windows 3.1
-Shutting down the computer?
That's impossible in Windows 3.1, you can only return to DOS. (MS-DOS 6.0 in my case)
When you're in DOS-mode you can just turn off the computer by pressing the power button.
-What is the time to boot the PC while using Windows 3.1?
That depends on your computer speed; in my case (I was using a pretty old Pentium III computer [designed for Windows 2000]) it took me around, I think, 5 or 10 seconds to boot my computer and to start up Windows 3.1. (When you start the computer, it will first start DOS and then you need to enter 'win' to start Windows.)
Conclusion;
Use Windows 3.1!!!
It's fast, very fast.
You can find most of the common Windows tools like notepad and (an early version of) MS-Paint.
But, keep in mind, you don't have access to the internet and probably have to save your files onto a floppy disk if you want to move it to another PC.
(If you want a fast Windows version with an internet browser; install Windows 98!)
(I just felt like submitting it; I hope you enjoyed it
I would be happy to answer your other questions about MS-DOS 6.0 and Windows 3.1!
)
[I'm weird; yes, I know...
]
P.S. For a serious piece of text about this subject, read
Rufus San's comment on this submission. (I wasn't serious at all with this submission, but apparently he felt like taking me serious; I've got no problem with it and you might learn something from the comment.)
Comments
dakan Says:
oh rofl
what a weird and old version, you need to copy all to a floppy disk, well, what old times, im still impressed you installed windows 3.1 XP
SaisCy Says:
Retro
Rufus San Says:
Your conclusion is incredibly short sighted.
What do -you- use your computer for most? (I want everyone who reads this to consider this question.)
I think you'll find there's only so much you can do with Notepad and paint. (Although, in the days Windows 3.1 was released, Paint was actually a fair competitor of Photoshop.)
As for installing it, that would be fun, as it only comes on 3 1/2 inch disks... The drives aren't even in mainstream manufacture any more.
Of course, many reading this will only use their computers for browsing the internet... Which Win 3 doesn't do. You did however note the possible useage of Windows 98. Though, that's even more illogical. I have a computer with Windows 98, and I can't install -any- security software on it at all, nor can I install a browser with any form of modern compatibility. Windows 98 is not ready for the internet of today.
I personally use my computer to write programs. My preference to coding means I use the .NET framework. I've never really tried, but I don't think you can even install the first version on Windows 98, it would never work with Windows 3.1. (Infact, Windows 2k will run .NET 2.0. But I'm using 3.5, and rules that system out too.)
Blue-Screens are actually mostly user error. As you stated, you got one when destroying the resolution. The last one I got was months ago when I broke my TV Receiver.
Admittedly, in Vista they are easier to cause, however that seems to stem from graphical issues again, since I've never had anything similar happen to me on my NT6 machine. (Funnily enough, it only has a 2mb Graphics card. That I don't use.)
Conclusion;
It's a real shame that Microsoft gave up on fixing Vista. I think it's only one service pack away from being as good as XP.
Lets just hope they do a better job at Windows 7.
adi93ulm Says:
old solitaire